(Peru, Neb.) – After allowing the visiting Avila Eagles to score after a Peru State turnover late in the first quarter, the Bobcats scored 17 unanswered points in route to home opener win on Saturday.
 
The win was in front of an excellent crowd of close to 1,300 in the historic Oak Bowl. The victory was highlighted by the fact that it was "Jerry Joy Day at the Oak Bowl" and was also the Swenson Award presentation.
 
Peru State is 1-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference while Eagles, who were winless last season, started the season 0-1. However, it was easy to discern that Avila is a much-better team than last year as they did challenge the Bobcats throughout the entire game.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Avila had the ball first and drove the ball down the field until the Bobcats stopped the Eagles on the 23-yard line. Avila attempted a 40-yard field goal which was wide left.
 
The teams then traded several possessions before the 'Cats, on their third possession in the first quarter, fumbled on Avila's 37-yard line. The Eagles then went 63 yards in six plays and scored on a one-yard run. Avila's PAT was good and with 1:57 left in the first quarter, the Eagles led 7-0.  
Second Quarter Action
 
On Peru State's second possession of the second quarter, A.J. Flodman (Hickman) returned an Eagle punt for seven yards which set up the Bobcats on Avila's 37-yard line. After several short gains, Tajh Eaddy (Spencerport, N.Y.) ran for two yards for a first down to keep the drive going. Senior quarterback Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) then ran a quarterback keeper for 12 yards putting the 'Cats on the Eagles' 13-yard line. Two short gains put the ball on Avila's seven-yard line. On the next play, Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) took a pitch from Carnahan and scampered into the end zone for Peru State's first score of the 2017 season. The point after by John Brady (Hickman) tied the game at 7-7.
 
 That would be how the first half end with the teams knotted up at seven apiece.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State would have the ball first in the third quarter and put together a 22-play, 79-yard drive that chewed 10:52 off the clock.
 
James Sluka (Milligan) took the hand off for the first play of the half and went eight yards. After a loss on the next play, Eaddy went eight yards for a first down to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, Eaddy gained two yards for another first down with the Bobcats now out at their own 28-yard line. Later, Peru State was the benefactor of an Eagle personal foul on fourth down and now were at their 42-yard line.
 
Two short gains by Carnahan were followed by a two-yard first-down run by Eaddy moving the 'Cats into Avila territory at the 49-yard line. A holding penalty on the next play pushed Peru State back into their own territory setting up a first and 19. A Carnahan-Flodman connection went for 16 yards and then Eaddy ran for four yards to move the ball to Avila's 36-yard line. Later, Sluka would gain seven yards to convert a fourth and three putting the Bobcats on Avila's 22-yard line. Unfortunately, the 'Cats could not move the ball much more and were forced to attempt a 33-yard field goal. Brady's kick was good and with 4:08 left in the third, Peru State took its first lead at 10-7.
 
The Bobcat defense rose to the occasion on Avila's next drive and forced a three and out. Peru State took over late in the third and started another drive which would result in a score.  
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State was on the Eagles' 26-yard line to start the fourth. After a second-down gain of four yards, Audsley gained 15 yards and was forced out at Avila's three-yard line. Two rushes by Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) resulted in a touchdown at the 13:17 mark. Brady's PAT was good and the Bobcats now led 17-7 with 13:17 left in the game.
 
The Eagles were not done and put together an 11-play, 68-yard drive resulting in a score to close the game within three at 17-14 with 9:16 remaining.
 
Audsley's 12-yard kickoff return put the Bobcats on their 24-yard line to start their next drive. After an Eagle personal foul moved the ball to the 39-yard line, Carnahan found Flodman for a 37-yard strike and suddenly Peru State was in Avila territory at their 24-yard line. After a one-yard gain by Carnahan, the 'Cats went back to the air and Carnahan found Flodman again, this time for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Brady's kick was good and Peru State now led 24-14 with 7:51 left on the clock.
 
Avila took the next possession and was moving the ball on the 'Cats. However, on fourth and 27 on Peru State's 37-yard line, Robert Tillman (Harper Woods, Mich.) intercepted the Eagle pass attempt and the Bobcats took over on their 25-yard line.
 
Peru State could not take much time off the clock and had to punt the ball back to Avila. With 2:30 left on the clock, after a sack by Myles Hicks (Independence, Mo.), Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.) intercepted an Eagle pass and returned it 42 yards for pay dirt. Brady's kick was good and the 'Cats led 31-14 with just 1:51 remaining on the clock.
 
The Bobcat defense then capped off the day by shutting down the Eagles to preserve the first win of 2017.
AVILA GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State finished with 24 first downs compared to 17 for Avila. The Bobcats gained 224 yards on the ground while holding their opponents to just 90 yards. The 'Cats also held the pass attack of Avila to just 114 total yards as they threw the ball 36 times, completing just 16, and tossing two interceptions. The Bobcats were 6 of 15 through the air for 95 yards.
 
The Bobcats outgained Avila 319 yards to 204 – a good start for the Peru State defense.
 
The turnover battle was almost even. Peru State had two fumbles – losing one, but picked off the Eagles for two interceptions – one of which went back for a score.
 
The game was somewhat marred by numerous penalties on each team. Both teams were flagged nine times. The Eagles had 115 yards in penalties while the 'Cats finished with 106 yards.
 
Peru State had the time of possession as the kept the ball for 32:50.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
The Bobcats' offensive attack was very balanced with five different runners contributing to the total of 224 yards. Carnahan gained 69 yards while Sluka finished with 63. Eaddy added 44 with Van Briesen having 33 yards and one touchdown. Audsley gained 23 yards and also had a touchdown.
 
Carnahan was six of 15 through the air for 95 yards and one touchdown.
 
Flodman caught four of those six completions for 87 yards and a touchdown. David Bond (New Port Richey, Fla.) and Eaddy each caught one pass.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Alec McClendon (Pampa, Texas) punted four times for an average of 35.5 yards with one landing inside the 20.
 
Flodman had three punt returns for 18 yards. Audsley had one kickoff return for 12 yards while Derren Pass (Naples, Fla.) had one kickoff return for four yards.
 
Brady handled the kickoff duties and averaged 49.3 yards on his six kicks.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Defensively, Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) led the team with nine total tackles – one of which was unassisted. He also shared in a tackle for a loss of 3.5 yards. Michael Bullard (Nassau, Bahamas) and Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.) each finished with six tackles. Bullard had three unassisted while Barnes had two unassisted. Finley had the team's best four unassisted tackles and finished with five total tackles as did Tillman, Warren Johnson, Jr., (Annapolis, Md.), Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.), Justin Mahon (Bennington), and Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil).
 
Tillman and Finley each had one interception while Tillman, Johnson, Jr., and Finley each had a pass break-up.
 
Hicks, Collin Weingaertner (Omaha), and JaMartae Brown (Portland, Ore.) each were credited with a sack while Stirgus and Andrew Shackelford (Parrish, Fla.) each had one-half a sack.
 
Player of the Game
 
B103/News Channel Nebraska selected Flodman as the Player of the Game after noting there were numerous potential players of the game.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be at home again this coming Saturday when they host Central Methodist (Mo.) in at night game which will begin at 6 p.m.
 
The Eagles started the season with a 31-0 win at home over Culver-Stockton (Mo.).
 
At halftime of the game, the winter and spring athletes from 2016-17 will be recognized for their athletic and academic honors.